Noel Johnson named to Texas HS Basketball HOF class

Lauren Roberts/Special to the Times Record News
Noel Johnson, head basketball coach at Midwestern State University, waits as she is introduced as the keynote speaker at the Star Students Award ceremony Thursday in the Wellington Banquet and Conference Center.(Photo: Lauren Roberts, Lauren Roberts)

Noel Johnson spends her days trying to make others feel really, really special.

If you’re a ball girl, a summer camper, a prospective player, an MSU fan or even a sports writer, you’ve earned the right to be special in Johnson’s world. She’ll share a smile, offer a chair or most anything she can figure out how to make your day better.

But the shoe was turned on the other foot Friday. It was Johnson’s turn to feel “really, really special” when she was officially named to the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Her enshrinement will be next May in San Antonio as part of an eight-person class.

The Midwestern State women’s basketball coach knew it was coming but kept it quiet, even to her assistant coaches.

“There are coaches throughout the state voting on it, and that they regarded my career as worthy of the Hall of Fame is an honor,” Johnson said. “I feel very privileged to be listed with those in the Hall of Fame, with the likes of Joe Lombard (Canyon) and Marsha Sharp (her coach at Texas Tech).”

Johnson is one of three players, including Angela Lawson, Sue Janes Cappell and Gary Sibley, as well four coaches -- Robert Capello, Tony Harper, Carl Irlbeck and Phl McNeely -- in the 2018 class.

Johnson claimed all-state honors keying a pair of state championship runs at Nazareth High School in 1990 and 1991 before signing to play for Texas Tech.

"The Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame is adding one of its strongest classes ever with this group of players and coaches," TABC Director Rick Sherley said. "These men and women represent sportsmanship and success, leaving a lasting, positive impact on the game of basketball in Texas."

“The championships and tradition I was able to be a part of at Nazareth laid the foundation of who I am as a player and a coach,” Johnson said.

Her players may have a new awareness of Coach J’s skill now, but she said some had seen tape of her in the state championships. “They’ll be like, 'Coach J, you used to be able to play,” she said. Not so fast, says coach, “What do you mean used to? Come watch me play (in staff noon games).”

I’d caught her coming from the gym to the adrenaline was still flowing. And the competitive juices always are, too. But she loves sharing this honor with her hometown folks in Wichita Falls and at MSU, too.

“It makes me proud of what I’ve done and I hope there’s a sense of pride,” Johnson said.

She’s ready for a new season, too, after seeing the Mustangs take a step forward but fall just short of the Lone Star Conference tournament a year ago. She has 126 career wins as she enters her 10th season at MSU.

“I’m really excited because we have a great core coming back, and the leadership of the team is developing,” Johnson said. “And we filled in some holes position-wise with athleticism and experience. The kids are determined and hungry, and I want them to continue to be that way.”

Johnson won the 1993 NCAA Championship as a player at Texas Tech. She’d love to help some of her players have that same special feeling, too.